It was weird. When Holly was young she’d known about her father’s “real” family. The elegant wife who lived in the grand mansion with their two perfect children, Luc and Shelby.
She’d been desperately jealous of them.
It wasn’t until after Luc had turned his back on Angeli Casinos and she’d more or less taken his place at the family business that she’d tentatively reached out. Astonishingly, Luc had been happy to get to know his bastard sister and they’d quickly formed a close relationship that now included his lovely wife.
Of course, they’d been careful to keep their friendship a secret from Vigo.
They’d both known that the older man would have a seizure to discover they were friends instead of competitors for his attention.
“Hi, sweetie.” Maddy wrapped her arms around Holly to give her a warm hug. The woman was as kind as she was beautiful, and if Holly didn’t love her so much she’d feel compelled to kill her for being so perfect. “The caterers have packed up and the reception room has been cleaned. Is there anything else you need?”
“No.” Holly pulled back, putting on a brave face. God. She just realized there was something worse than being a joke to society. It was being an object of pity to her friends. “You and Luc have been great. Thank you.”
“Hey, that’s what family is for.” Maddy gave her fingers a squeeze. “Do you want to come home with us?”
She firmly shook her head. “I just want a hot bath and a very large glass of wine.”
Maddy frowned. “I don’t think you should be alone.”
“She won’t be,” Sasha said.
“I told you, I don’t need a babysitter,” Holly muttered.
“The last thing I intend to be is your babysitter, chica.” A wicked smile curved Sasha’s lips. “Tonight you’re going to spread your wings and fly.”
Hmm. Holly didn’t trust that smile. The last time she’d seen it Sasha had been trying to convince her she needed a tattoo.
“What are you talking about?”
“A walk on the wild side.” The smile widened. “It’s Ladies’ Night at the club.”
“No.” Holly held up a hand. “No way am I going to the Playhouse.”
Sasha arched her brows. “You’d rather stay home and wallow in a pity party?”
“I don’t wallow.”
“Holly, come on,” Sasha pleaded.
Holly shook her head. “I’m just not interested in…”
Her words trailed away.
Actually, she wasn’t entirely sure what went on at the elegant club. Oh, she knew there was a variety of entertainment.
Strippers, both male and female. Spectator sports. BDSM dungeons. And private rooms upstairs that catered to every taste imaginable.
But she’d never visited the club. She was Vigo’s bastard daughter by a showgirl. She had to be twice as careful with her reputation as most businesswomen.
“Not interested in what?” Sasha prompted. “Drinking and dancing with your besties? Hot men taking off their clothes? The opportunity to celebrate being young and beautiful and gloriously free of the douchebag?”
Holly hesitated.
She’d done everything expected of her.
Everything.
And what had it gotten her?